Refrigerating apparatus



' Jan. 21, 1930. w, T B 1,744,287

REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 25. 1928 in a liquid refrigerant reservoir "system in order that preferred form of the Patented Jan. 21, 1930 RAYMOND W. TIBBETTS, OF METHUEN, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO FRIGIDAIRE CORPORATION, OF DAYTON,

OHIO, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Application filed February 25, 1928.

This invention relates to refrigerating apparatus and more particularly to means for maintaining the proper amount of refrigerant in such a system.

'An object of this invention is to provide means for introducing the proper amount of refrigerant into a refrigerating system.

Another object of this invention is to provide means. whereby refrigerant may be added to, or removed from, a refrigerating the system may contain the proper amount of refrigerant for efficient operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide means for indicating the amount of refrigerant in a refrigerating system.

Another object of this invention is to provide a unitary fixture adapted to be inserted of a refrigerating system, which fitting is provided with means for introducing refrigerant into the system, and also with means for indicating the level of the liquid refrigerant in the reser- VOlI'.

Further objects and advantages of the present .invention will be apparent'from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, wherein a present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 represents diagrammatically a refrigerating system embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 represents a cross-sectional view of an enlarged portion of the refrigerating system shown in Fig. l; and- Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section taken at right angles to that of Fig. 2.

A refrigerating system embodying features of my invention is generally designated as 20 in the drawing. Such a system may comprise a compressor 21, a liquefier 22, a liquid refrigerant receiver 23, an evaporator 24, and means for introducing additional refrigerant.

Under ordinary conditions the refrigerat-' ing system may be operated by a motor 26, controlled by a snap switch 27, in this instance shown as responsive by means of a pressure bellows 28 connected to the low pres- Serial No. 256,991.

sure line 29 of the system 20. As ordinarily installed the refrigerant adding means 25 is disconnected from the remainder of the refrigerant system at the coupling 30.

In the liquid refrigerant receiver 23 a fitting may be inserted. This fitting may comprise in general three conduits 41, 42, and

43. Conduits 41 and 42 may extend down into the liquid refrigerant reservoir 23 and may terminate at different levels therein. The upper ends of the conduits 41 and 42 may be provided with valves 44 and 45 respectively, and the conduits may have small extensions 46 and 47 adapted to discharge into the atmosphere Whenever it is desired to determine the level of the refrigerant in the reservoir 23 eitherof the valves 44 or 43 may be opened. The operator may then determine whether the refrigerant levelis satisfactory by the character of discharge at extensions 46and 47. If the extension 46 discharges liquid refrigerant and the extension 47 discharges gaseous refrigerant the operator then knows that the liquid level is intermediate the lower ends of the conduits 41 and 42. The discharge is caused by the superatmospheric pressure of the refrigerant.

The conduit 43 may extend downwardly into the reservoir 23 to any desired level. At

, its upper end a valve 48 may be provided.

Suitable packing 48 may be pressed around the valve 48 by the packing cap 48". If desired a cap 49 may he provided to protect the valve 48. An extension 50 of the conduit 43 may be provided with a threaded portion 51 to which the coupling 30 may be secured. When it is desired to add refrigerant to the system the additional refrigerant supply 25 may be connected to the coupling 40 at the point 51. After the proper precaution, such as purging of the connections, the valve 48 may be opened and the additional refr gerant may then be introduced into the receiver 23. A means for introducing additional refriger ant may comprise compressor 52 having its intake connected to a refrigerant bottle 53. The compressor 52 may be driven by an electric motor, if desired, as shown in the drawin s.

T have shown the lower ends of the conduits 41, 42 and 43 as made of pipes inserted into a cast piece but it is to be understood that these conduits may be provided in a part integral with the cast piece.

The fitting 40 may be made of two parts, comprising a collar and a valve portion The collar 60 may be inserted into an opening in the reservoir 23 and may be soldered or welded as shown at 63. An internal thread may be provided in the collar 60 adapted to cooperate with an external thread on the valve member 61.

Since the level of the refrigerant in the reservoir 23 is in general indicative of the amount of refrigerant in the system, the fitting which the applicant has disclosed may be used to maintain the proper amount of refrigerant in the system. As shown in the drawing the evaporator 24, if of the flood type, automatically maintains a constant refrigerant level by means of a fioat 71 which controls the influx of refrigerant into the evaporator 24. Any variations on the amount of refrigerant will therefore effect I the level of the refrigerant in"the liquid receiver 23. WVhen the operator finds that the level in the reservoir 23 is not between the lower ends of the conduits 41 and 42 he may withdraw or introduce refrigerant into the system by the proper connections to the auxiliary refrigerant su ply 25. B connectingthe bottle 53 to the exhaust o compressor 52 and the fitting 40 to the intake of the compressor means 25 may be used for withdrawing, as well as supplying, refrigerant to the remainder of the system.

The refrigerating system shown operates in the usual manner. Compressor 21 supplies compressed refrigerant to liquefier 22, which discharges liquefied refrigerant to receiver 23. The receiver 23 supplies refrigerant to evaporator 24 through a valve controlled by float 71. The evaporated refrigerant returns through low pressure pipe 29 to the compressor 21.

While the form of embodiment of the invention as hereindisclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

\Vhat is claimed is as follows:

1. In a refrigerating system having a liquid refrigerant reservoir, a fitting provided with valved conduits extending to different levels in said reservoir.

2. A fitting adapted to be connected to a liquid refrigerant reservoir of a refrigerating system provided with a plurality of con duits adapted to extend to different levels in said reservoir, and valve means for opening said conduits to the atmosphere.

3. A fitting adapted to be connected to a I liquid refrigerant reservoir of a refrigerating system provided with a valved refrigerant charging orifice, a plurality of conduits nature.

RAYMOND W. TIBBETTS. 

